It is unfathomable that we are already at the end of the first half term of the academic year. There is already so much that has been achieved in school by our wonderful pupils and fantastic staff, and I am sure that next half term will be just as eventful.
Coming up after the holidays, amongst other things, we have Children in Need and the return of the Bin Bag Challenge; our next Open Day; the wonderful Christmas Fayre; our Pre-Prep and Prep Christmas Performances; and Nine Lessons and Carols at Durham Cathedral.
Sport Update
This week in Hockey the U13 and U18 played friendly matches, and the U16 team qualified for the North Regional Semi-Finals following the County Hockey Tournament on Tuesday.
The U14 and U15 Netball teams were in action with league games against Parkview and we also had the first Cross-County event with girls from Year 7, 8 and 9 competing in the Tyne and Wear Championships. Well done to the Year 8 and 9 combined team who finished 4th. Congratulations to all pupils who have represented DHS this week.
The U10 Hockey team travelled to Mowden Hall school this week for a hockey festival. Last week, the U9 hockey teams enjoyed an afternoon of Hockey hosting Mowden Hall school. An excellent performance and some fantastic goals. Well done to all that took part.
Feeding Families and Durham Foodbank
Thank you to those families that were able to contribute to our recent Harvest Collection. The donations received will now be split between Durham Food Bank, who provide food to local homeless and vulnerable people, and Feeding Families, a North East charity that offers support to those in the region experiencing food poverty.
We recently invited Gavin from Feeding Families into school to hold an assembly in Senior Department. We look forward to working with the charity again after half term to raise funds for the vital work that they do across the region.
Communication over half term
There will be nobody monitoring telephone calls in school after 6pm this evening until we return on Monday 31 October 2022. If you have any need to contact the school over the holiday, please email [email protected], but please be aware that you may not receive a response before we return. Thank you for your understanding.
Pre-Prep Durham visit
Last Thursday our Pre-Prep pupils went out to explore our wonderful city and its riverbank. They looked for signs of Autumn and considered the Geography and History of Durham.
Pirate Day
Year 3 have been celebrating Pirate Day this week, with pupils taking part in activities including pirate job interviews. There were some fantastic costumes on show.
Bake Off – Monday 31 October
Pre-Prep and Prep Department
All pupils from Reception to Year 6 are invited to take part in our annual ‘Bake Off’ competition, which will take place on Monday 31 October. Entry forms should be returned pupils bring their creation to Prep and Pre-Prep Hall on the day ready for judging. The pupils will have the opportunity to buy some of the creations, so we recommend around £1 spending money. A plastic container from home would be useful in which to put their purchases. Parents are welcome to view and buy cakes when collecting children at the end of the day. We will be supporting ‘Action against Hunger’ with the money we raise.
Senior Department
Pupils in Senior Department are also invited to take part in a ‘Bake Off’ competition on Monday 31 October. Those wishing to enter should bring their creation to the Main Hall on the day ready for judging. There will be three categories – biscuits, small cakes and big cakes. During Period 5 on Monday 31 October, pupils will have the opportunity to buy some of the delicious bakes, so we recommend that your child brings some spending money in with them on the day. The money raised will be donated to ‘Action against Hunger’.
Thank you in advance for your support with both competitions and good luck to all our bakers across the school ahead of the judging day.
Classlist
The School, and Parents and Friends, are delighted with the uptake for Classlist so far. If you have still not joined the platform, you can do so by downloading Classlist app on iOS or Android, selecting “Durham High School” and completing the sign-up form, choosing what data you wish to share with parents in your child’s class/year group.
A reminder of the Classlist Community Guidelines, to which all users are expected to adhere:
- Respect fellow class parents, which includes not using their contact details for marketing or professional purposes.
- Be honest, authentic, and straightforward in all actions.
- Do not share information from the website without the author’s permission.
- Maintain the privacy and security of the site by creating a unique password and keeping it safe.
- Do not use the website to complain about the school or individuals connected with the school.
